21 September 1915

The lights are going out

The Lieutenant Governor, General Rochfort, is considering further restrictions on public lighting.

The Lieutenant Governor, General Rochfort, is considering further restrictions on public lighting. It follows ongoing concerns that enemy ships in particular may use any visible lights to fire at targets in Jersey.

Reducing the use of public lighting, which is gas powered, would also have the beneficial effect of saving coal. Given that the Island relies on imports of coal for both heating and the extraction of coal gas, every effort is being made to reduce usage during wartime. The Parish of St Helier recently led the way by extinguishing its street lights at 11.30pm, rather than leaving them on until the early hours of the morning. St Saviour and St Clement have now adopted the same approach.

The Jersey Gas Light Company is understandably supportive of any wartime moves that protect the Island and save fuel. They have raised concerns, however, over further restrictions on public lighting, pointing out that as the pictures houses finish until 11 o’clock each evening, the lights should remain on until at least 11.30pm.

The company also notes that the changes are variations on agreed contracts, and so are resulting in considerable financial loss.

A/E/11/15 contains correspondence and documents on the matter of public lighting restrictions.